Tributes have been paid to the 13-year-old boy who drowned while trying to save a pal on Monday.

Hero Oisin Quigley was walking beside a river near Kilcock Road in Maynooth, Co Kildare, at about 4pm with two friends when they fell in.

A local source said the youngster had been trying to rescue his friend after he got into trouble.

Oisin was a second-year student at Maynooth Post Primary School, which today released a statement following the news.

It said: “This is a terrible tragedy for the Quigley family, for Maynooth Post Primary School, Maynooth Community College and the whole community.

“We are deeply saddened by these events. Our sympathy and thoughts are with the Quigley family and friends and the other students involved in the incident.

“Oisin was a second year student and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

“He has two siblings in Maynooth Post Primary School, Davide in TY and Caoimhe in sixth year.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them also at this time.”

Others took to social media to pay their respects.

One said: “RIP, Oisin, we will always remember your smile, you were never without one. Always remembered, never forget.”

Another added: “Such an awful tragedy. Rest in Peace Oisin, your family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.”

The three teens were brought to Our Lady’s Hospital for Children, Crumlin, where Oisin was pronounced dead.

His friends, a girl and a boy, were later released.

Local Sinn Fein councillor Reada Cronin extended her sympathies to Oisin’s family and friends.

She said: “It’s absolutely tragic, I’ve been out all day and just heard the news.

“There are no words at this time. I have children myself and I can’t imagine what his family are going through.

“It’s just desperately sad.”

Oisin was also a keen sportsman and a member of both Kilcock GAA Club and Maynooth Town Football Club.

Maynooth Town FC Academy said today: “A loss of any friend or family member can always be a challenging time but for a child to be lost in such tragic circumstances trying to do his best to save the life of another means the world has lost a special lad and a hero to the friend he saved.

“We ask you to pray at this time for his family and light a candle of hope that they may find strength in the great memories he gave them and knowing he lost his life to save another.”